Synopsis

Now that the crisis (economic, financial and ecological) has taken a firm hold over Europe and the rest of the world, the “return to growth” is systematically put forward by political leaders on both right and left, as the key process that will help us emerge from the tunnel.   For the public, invoking a return to growth always raises the same questions:

• “What exactly is growth?”
• “How did this economic concept progressively make its mark, to the point of becoming an intangible dogma?”
• “How can we continue to promote unlimited growth today, knowing that our planet’s resources are limited and are even facing exhaustion?”
• “Are there any theoretical and practical alternatives to growth?”
• “What can we do on a local level to change the paradigm?”

  The film shows real-life concrete initiatives that are alternatives to the model of growth in the domains of food production (urban agriculture), energy (transition towns and eco-communities), and the exchange of goods and services (local currencies and time banks). These experiences, which are springing up all over the world, are based on a questioning of consumerism (there is no “growth” without advertising), and aim to create more resilient communities by leaning on the relocation of production and exchanges, and the economic and democratic stimulation of territories.   In the film, these concrete experiences alternate between the words of experts, echoing each other, and together outlining new ways to set into motion the vital transition,   For each field embodying this transition, the film presents an initiative in the North and in the South to highlight the universality of the movement.

   

Director's statement

In making this film, I thought long and hard about all the organizations and the different movements that have been thinking and acting to find alternatives to this economy of exhaustion for years. Good old growth!  is both a tribute to their sometimes-visionary work and a tool to go further building on exemplary initiatives. Given the considerable stakes and the current emergency situation involved, I have tried my best to pass that on to the public.

   

Why this choice?

Denouncing the old model for growth, this film invites you to change the economic paradigm and shows us, through examples and original characters, that another way of life is possible. It begs philosophical questions and addresses seldom seen themes in other documentaries such as the concept of “what the planet lends us” (earth, water, air, etc.).   This film is not only interesting because of the themes it addresses, but also it is full of proofs of hope as it shows us solutions that work.   A motivating film that makes you want to change everything!